Home Choice based Letings Systems

The authority requires a web based and externally hosted system to enable the Local Authorities to continue to meet the objectives of the Home Choice Based Lettings approach which are:

Putting the initiative on the customer - the initiative to apply for a particular property is taken by the customer, rather than the housing officer offering a property.

Providing the customer with market information - information on the popularity of particular types and locations of property is provided. In addition the system provides information on other housing options (such as Care and Repair) to help customers to make informed choices on how best to resolve their housing problems.

Offering information on the property and neighbourhood - as well as basic information on available properties, the information provided gives more detail about property features such as central heating, garden, location, schools and so forth, and offers 'real choice' as in the owner-occupied sector.

Supporting vulnerable groups - mechanisms based on 'levels of need' can be used to protect vulnerable people and improve their housing opportunities.

Operating transparent selection criteria - Transparent criteria are used to assess needs and award priority among homeseekers.

High-quality communications - the quality of communications between landlords and homeseekers is central to the system.

A fully operational web based and hosted solution will be required to be operational including the migration of existing data by the end of July 2016.